Yes, you really can make free phone calls using the internet. The apps I'll mention come in two types: Some only work if the other person has the same app, while others let you call any number, even cell phones or landlines.
Either way, it's a free call, and these apps are the best for it. I keep a few of my favorites on my phone for when I can't get a good signal, like in certain hotels or airports.
A free Wi-Fi phone can't make a 911 or similar emergency call. If there's an emergency, use a traditional landline or mobile phone, or a true internet telephone service that's approved for that type of use.
01
of 12
Google Meet
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/google-meet-app-call-android-fa6aca1e6d254608890b24b6be646f09.png "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (1)")
What We Like
Calls with up to 100 people.
Built-in noise-cancelling.
Includes filters, AR masks, and other fun modes.
Present documents and share other items during calls.
What We Don't Like
Only works with recipients who also use the app.
Google Meet is an app-to-app calling service that works across desktop and mobile platforms. Video meetings are encrypted, it also supports audio calls, and you can form massive group calls with up to 100 people.
One thing I like about this app is that it displays real-time captions as the other person is speaking.
You can call your contacts and join meetings via a meeting code or link. You can use Google Meet in a browser as well as the mobile app for Android and iOS.
Download For:
02
of 12
Signal
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/signal-app-call-android-ce332439649944dc9a06a26f30f70cd9.png "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (2)")
What We Like
Uses encryption.
Also supports text chat and video calls.
Supports sharing large files.
Signup is easy with your number and a PIN.
What We Don't Like
Other caller must also have the app.
You have to also have a real phone number (can't sign up with email).
Signal lets you send and receive texts, make voice and video calls (including group calls), and share your location and files. It was developed with a focus on privacy and security; it uses end-to-end encryption to protect your messages and calls, so only you and the recipient can see or hear what you're exchanging.
I particularly like all the extra features, like payments, stories, and self-destructing messages, which uses a timer to automatically delete messages after a set time.
Signal is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and desktop.
Download For:
03
of 12
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/whatsapp-call-dee4e791092147b59252f36e2dac66ae.png "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (3)")
What We Like
Calls work with any user no matter where they're located.
Helps you find users from your existing phone contacts.
Works on a wide variety of devices, including the web.
What We Don't Like
Requires a real phone number to sign up.
It's unable to call non-users like landline phones.
Meta-owned WhatsApp is a popular texting app with hundreds of millions of users. However, you can alsocallyour WhatsApp friends right from the app using only your internet connection (it doesn't count against your phone plan's voice minutes).
You just need to confirm your phone number to get started. Once you're using the app, you can start a new conversation to clearly see which of your contacts are also using WhatsApp, then you can call them for free no matter where in the world they're located.
Groups can hold as many as 1024 people, but group calls are limited to 256 people (which is still huge).
WhatsApp also lets you send videos, photos, your location, and contacts to other users.Like Signal, end-to-end encryption is supported for all communication within the app.
Because WhatsApp requires the app to make free phone calls, you can not use it to make free calls to phones that don't have the app installed, nor to landlines. However, if your experience is anything like mine, lots of your phone contacts will have this app, so this shouldn't really be a problem.
You can make calls with WhatsApp using an Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, or Mac.
Download For:
04
of 12
Google Voice
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/google-voice-calls-edf7cf923ddc489cb5fcc8b02b4ae42a.png "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (4)")
What We Like
Runs on computers and mobile devices.
Can forward all calls to your existing phone.
Includes voicemail.
Easily connects with your existing phone contacts.
What We Don't Like
Requires an existing phone number to call landlines and other numbers.
Limits calling time.
Google Voice is one of the best ways to make a call over the internet. You get a real phone number, so you can make free calls to an actual phone number.
Voice is much more than this, though. It's primarily a way to manage the phone numbers in your life and can intelligently route incoming Voice calls to any other phone you have or send them directly to voicemail. You can also screen calls and create custom away messages for specific contacts, and make groups within your contact list to apply rules to, like for custom call forwarding.
Other features include free SMS, free conference calls, and free voicemail services.
Free calls you make with Voice must be to numbers in the United States or Canada, and they're limited to three hours. However, you can continue to make a free call to the same number over and over again.
Voice works from a desktop browser as well as through the iPhone, iPad, and Android app.
Download For:
05
of 12
Facebook Messenger
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/facebook-messenger-free-calls-1574accd421e4681807436e4e64f05fa.png "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (5)")
What We Like
Free for calling any user around the world.
Lots of people already use it.
Runs on both computers and phones.
Supports video calling, too.
What We Don't Like
Can't call landlines and other "real" phone numbers.
Messengeris Facebook's messaging service. Itsupports text messages and audio and video calls between anyone with the app.
It's popular enough that most people you know probably have it, making it a great option for Wi-Fi calls. I also like that I can use it to play games with the other person, send money, and share my location.
It works from any web browser through the Messenger website, as well as through the Windows 11/10 or Mac program and the mobile app for Android, iPhone, and iPad.
Download For:
06
of 12
FaceTime
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/facetime-ipad-0ace919b4e0041ed918837e3caf3dfe9.png "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (6)")
What We Like
Ideal for iPhone users.
Make free calls with any smartphone or computer.
Unique features.
What We Don't Like
No Android or Windows app.
If you're an Apple fan, then you've probably already heard about FaceTime. It supports video and audio calls with other Apple devices. This is definitely your best option if you and your frequent callers are iPhone, iPad, or Mac users.
FaceTime is heavily integrated into the Apple ecosystem, so it's built-in to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS and includes extra features unavailable in these other apps. For example, you can share your screen in FaceTime.
Here are a few other things I've enjoyed about FaceTime: Call using a phone number or email address, live captions, hand a call off to another supported device, use video effects during calls, leave a video message for unanswered calls, Voice Isolation to filter background sounds, and live background blurring.
You can join FaceTime calls on Android or a Windows PC, but you can't initiate a call unless you have an Apple device.
07
of 12
Snapchat
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/005_free-internet-phone-calls-1356646-5c0859ee46e0fb000181c699.jpg "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (7)")
What We Like
Has a massive user base.
Free calls can be made to anyone with the app.
Also supports video calls.
Audio calls with up to 32 friends at once.
Includes other fun features.
What We Don't Like
Lets you call other users only, not just any phone number.
Snapchatis well known for its texting and picture sending capabilities, but you can also make free audio and video calls with your Snapchat contacts.
Enter the chat mode with one of your contacts by tapping the conversation once or opening a new chat window. Then, use the phone icon to instantly call them for free over Wi-Fi or your device's data connection.
Since you can only call other Snapchat users, you can't usethe app to call home phones or devices that aren't also using the app.
Snapchat works with Android, iPhone, iPad, and Windows. You can also use Snapchat in a web browser (calls are supported there, too).
Download For:
08
of 12
Telegram
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/006_free-internet-phone-calls-1356646-5c08688746e0fb0001e9bb86.jpg "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (8)")
What We Like
Fully encrypted phone calls.
Works on a number of devices.
Also supports text messaging.
Supports really huge group messages.
What We Don't Like
Only users can make free calls with each other, so you can't call a real phone number.
Telegram is another extremely popular app for encrypted text messaging and calls. It's really easy to use, and the texting features are available anywhere you log in, like on the web or through the desktop or mobile app.
A popular feature in this app is groups. You can have up to 200,000 people in a single group! Group calls support as many as 30 people.
Telegram runs on lots of devices: Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone, macOS, Windows (portable and regular installer), Linux, and the web.
Download For:
09
of 12
TextNow
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/textnow-wifi-calling-app-5c07e06646e0fb000196aca3.png "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (9)")
What We Like
Get a real number.
Includes a voicemail box.
Supports several customizations.
Lets you send texts to any phone, even non-users.
You can buy credits to make calls to any phone number.
Runs on the web and a number of mobile devices.
What We Don't Like
Calls are not free if you want to talk with a non-user (someone not using the app).
TextNow is a mobile app that can send and receive free phone calls from other users. You can also textanyphone because you're given an actual number to use. To make phone calls to non-users, like landline phones, you need to buy or earn redeemable credits.
The interface is very straightforward. It keeps track of call history right within the message center, it's quick and easy to start a phone call, and you can even send messages while actively in a call.
In addition to sending text messages, TextNow lets you send photos, drawings, emoticons, and your location. You can also customize the voicemail greeting, get email alerts when you get messages, change the message screen background, use a different alert for different contacts, customize the overall theme, and use a signature with all your messages.
You can log in to your TextNow account on a different device, and all your saved messages and phone numbers remain and can be used immediately.
Since you only need an email address to set up your account, it works with devices that might not have a phone number, like iPad, iPod touch, and Kindle. If you're using TextNow on Windows or Mac, or from the web, you can both call and text from your computer.
Download For:
10
of 12
Skype
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/skype-free-call-app-ea711e07cedc43c6b1baf710faa96d5c.png "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (10)")
What We Like
Supports free calls to any other Skype user.
Makes audio and video calls, plus supports texting.
Runs cross platform, on lots of devices.
You can pay to call real phones.
Calls can have as many as 100 people in them at once.
What We Don't Like
You don't get a real phone number for free.
Calls made to non-users are not free.
Might limit group call duration.
Skype is a popular messaging service that's been around a long time. I've used it for years to make free phone calls with other Skype users. It works on desktop and mobile platforms.
To create contacts requires recipients to already have an account; it's easy to create a Skype account on Windows and other platforms. You can find a user in the public directoryby their email address or phone number, and you can add contacts directly if you know their username.
Not only is internet calling supported, but also video calls and text messages to any other user. It's an easy-to-use app that has proven itself worthy over the many years it's been around.
Some devices have the app pre-installed. Otherwise, you can use Skype in your browser and on Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Linux, Windows, Xbox One, Alexa devices, and more.
Download For:
11
of 12
Textfree
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/002_free-internet-phone-calls-1356646-5c08371ec9e77c0001e53b20.jpg "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (11)")
What We Like
You get a real phone number.
Supports voicemail.
Calling is free to any other user.
Texting works with any phone number, even non-users.
What We Don't Like
Numbers expire if they've been inactive for too long.
Your calling minutes with non-users are limited.
Textfree is a free application that gives you your own phone number to make free app to app calls and text messages, and you can even customize the voicemail greeting.
The texting feature can actually be used on non-app phones as well, which means you can use Textfree as another way to text your friends over the internet.
Every user begins with a limited number of minutes for free calling to phones not using the app, like landlines. There are ways to get more free minutes, like watching video advertisem*nts and completing free offers.
If you fail to use your Textfree phone number for 30 days, it's returned to the "pool" of numbers for new users, and thus become inactive. You can always get another one if your current number expires.
In addition to the web, this app is usable through the Android, iPhone, and iPad apps.
Download For:
12
of 12
Viber
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/003_free-internet-phone-calls-1356646-5c08569c46e0fb0001017939.jpg "The 12 Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps of 2024 (12)")
What We Like
All calls and texts are free with other users.
The app helps find existing users from your contact list.
Works on desktop and mobile devices.
What We Don't Like
A real phone number isn't free.
Free calls can be made between users only (the app is required).
PC to PC and app to app free internet phone calls are available with Viber, so lots of devices are supported.
It scours your contact list on your mobile device to find other users, which makes it simple to know who you can call for free.
Messages and video can also be sent through to any other device that has it installed, be it a mobile or desktop version.
You can subscribe to Viber for a local number in various countries that you can use to receive calls and texts, but that feature isn't free.
The app runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac computers, as well as Android and iOS (iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch) mobile devices.
Download For:
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for letting us know!
Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
Subscribe
Tell us why!
